Christopher J. LaBonte
Sanford
Summary
Senior Vice President with expertise in the construction industry, focusing on strategic planning and operational efficiency. Led initiatives in crisis management and revenue growth while ensuring quality and safety standards. Developed high-performing teams through effective communication and collaboration, implementing lean project delivery methods to enhance stakeholder relationships. Dedicated to driving customer satisfaction and fostering strong client connections.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Vice President of operations
BE&K Building Group
Raleigh
08.2021 - Current
- Led strategic planning initiatives for large-scale construction projects.
- Oversaw project management teams to ensure timely project delivery.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency across departments.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align on project goals and requirements.
- Directed resource allocation and budgeting for multiple concurrent projects.
- Mentored junior executives to develop leadership skills and team cohesion.
- Facilitated training programs to enhance staff capabilities in project management tools.
- Evaluated vendor performance and established strong supplier relationships for sourcing materials.
- Coordinated with leadership to develop and implement organizational strategies and promote progress towards business objectives.
- Created plans to improve customer service standards throughout the organization.
- Conducted regular reviews of business operations, identified areas for improvement, and proposed solutions.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Recruited, trained, mentored, and evaluated staff members in order to optimize their effectiveness.
- Developed new policies and procedures to increase efficiency in all departments.
- Provided strategic guidance to executive team on operational decisions and initiatives.
- Identified potential risks and developed contingency plans accordingly.
- Established key performance indicators to track progress against organizational objectives.
- Maintained a comprehensive understanding of trends within the industry landscape.
- Led cross-functional teams in the implementation of innovative projects across multiple divisions.
- Built top-performing teams by training in areas of expertise and through effective coaching and mentoring.
- Assisted in developing strategic partnerships with other organizations within the industry.
- Cultivated and maintained industry relationships and customer partnerships to capitalize on opportunities and maximize business success.
- Monitored competitors' activities to stay ahead of changes in the marketplace.
- Evaluated current systems and processes to identify opportunities for streamlining operations.
- Revitalized business plans and realigned company objectives, resulting in increased overall profitability.
- Monitored business trend forecasts and adjusted budgets and operational plans to maximize growth and opportunities.
- Directed annual budgeting process and oversaw financial performance of departmental operations.
- Turned low-performing department into success after carefully implementing effective restructuring plan.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers while ensuring competitive pricing structures.
- Delivered regular organizational performance reports to executive team and board of directors.
- Developed and implemented strategies for expanding the organization's market reach.
- Analyzed data from marketing campaigns to determine best practices for future efforts.
- Leveraged company's mission and vision statements to craft business strategies and boost revenue opportunities.
- Oversaw quality assurance efforts to maintain high standards of product and service delivery.
- Identified and pursued new business opportunities to expand market presence and revenue streams.
- Reported to executive leadership on performance metrics, challenges, and strategic opportunities.
- Guided change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new business practices.
- Implemented customer service excellence standards to enhance client satisfaction and loyalty.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones, ensuring collaboration and efficiency.
- Developed and implemented strategic business plans to drive growth and profitability.
- Facilitated team meetings and workshops to align on goals and strategies.
- Managed annual budgeting process, including forecasting and financial analysis to optimize resources.
- Coordinated with marketing to develop branding and promotional strategies.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with suppliers and clients to improve cost-effectiveness.
- Coordinated with IT department to implement new technologies and systems enhancements.
- Monitored compliance with industry regulations and company policies to mitigate risk.
- Directed market research and analysis to identify trends and inform business decisions.
- Implemented process improvements to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
- Managed crisis situations, implementing contingency plans to minimize impact on operations.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to support business objectives.
- Drove revenue by cultivating successful client relations.
- Oversaw talent acquisition, training, and development programs to build high-performing teams.
- Analyzed competitive landscape to adjust strategies and maintain competitive advantage.
- Improved profitability by accurately maintaining P&L to meet prime fiscal responsibility.
- Created program to promote new managers from within, leading to cohesive leadership structure.
- Oversaw technological improvements, successfully reducing waste and eliminating business bottlenecks.
- Implemented strategic offerings to enhance company's suite of products and services.
- Developed long-range plans for business growth, resulting in increase in annual sales.
- Strategized and implemented plans to transform and revitalize operations, capitalizing on emerging industry trends.
- Optimized supply chain to reduce materials costs and improve distribution.
- Exceeded sales goals through upselling and cross-selling within existing client base as well as strategically attracting new business.
- Leveraged trends in customer industries and marketplaces to shape solutions and approaches.
- Signed and approved budgets for new funding and program initiatives.
- Executed on-time, under-budget project management to adhere to project road map.
- Fostered collaboration and development of new practices by business leaders.
- Led strategic planning and execution to enhance profitability and company growth.
Project Director
JE Dunn
09.2020 - Current
- Project Director on projects of various size.
- Led contract negotiations, evaluated contractors, and developed client relationships in Pharma construction to enhance project collaboration.
- Completed and turned over large State science and agricultural building, ensuring alignment with project specifications and timelines.
- Led preconstruction efforts and developed proposals for multiple clients, streamlining project initiation processes.
- Lead on numerous pursuits in the Life Sciences and AI market.
- Facilitated adoption of lean principles and TAKT Planning to optimize project execution and resource utilization.
Senior Construction Manager
Jacobs
11.2018 - 09.2020
- Senior Construction Manager for preconstruction of 400 Million dollar Pfizer Gene Therapy project in Sanford NC.
- Senior Construction Manager on a Largescale retro-fit of the existing facility at the Pfizer plant in Sanford NC.
- Oversaw all stages of project life cycle to ensure successful execution.
- Reviewed designs and assessed constructability for all construction phases, ensuring alignment with project goals.
- Engaged in value engineering to enhance construction efficiency and quality while managing costs effectively.
- Collaborated with team to expedite delayed project, securing completion within established schedule and budget.
- Worked with the safety team to develop a safety culture and an attitude of teamwork and achieving the ultimate goal.
Senior Project Manager
CRB (Midwest)
06.2018 - 11.2018
- Senior Project manager on large projects throughout the Midwest region.
- Owned full project life cycle and delivered successful projects from initiation to deployment for major and minor initiatives.
- Managed portfolio of complex initiatives across multiple lines of business, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Provide on-site leadership for project team by building and motivating team members to meet project goals, adhering to their responsibilities and project milestones.
- Defined project scope and managed changes to maintain alignment with objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
- Manage the day-to-day project activities and resources and chairs the project management team meetings.
- Reported project success criteria results, metrics, and managed test and deployment activities to ensure successful outcomes.
- Participate in establishing practices, templates, policies, tools and partnerships to expand and mature these capabilities for the organization.
Senior Construction Manager
Fluor (Kinsale Ireland)
12.2016 - 06.2018
- Senior Construction Manager on a large 546 million dollar Pharmaceutical project for Eli Lilly in Kinsale Ireland.
- Accepted overseas assignment to address project complexity and budget constraints.
- Ensured compliance with safety standards and effective planning throughout the project.
- Facilitated offsite work for 300,000 of 1.5M man-hours, improving worker safety and optimizing space efficiency.
- Lead on all construction and working closely with contractors and staff to accomplish our goal.
- Managed budget encompassing office, staff projections, and costs to ensure financial adherence.
- Oversaw value engineering initiatives to improve project efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Collaborated with design teams to develop engineering work packages, transitioning to installation and turnover packages.
- Managed production across trades, fostering collaboration through lean and integrated project delivery principles.
Senior Construction Manager
Fluor (Greenville SC / Clayton NC)
04.2016 - 12.2016
- Senior Construction Manager for preconstruction of 1.6 billion dollar DAPI us project in Clayton NC.
- Managed cost, schedule, budget, and reporting for Self-Perform construction, driving project adherence to timelines and financial targets.
- Engaged in all aspects of value engineering and identified efficient construction methods while managing costs.
- Reviewed designs and assessed constructability, ensuring alignment with project goals across all construction phases.
- Led HR, resourcing, material management, and quality control, optimizing team performance and resource allocation.
- Led safety initiatives for Self-Perform crews and all contractors on site.
Construction Manager
Fluor (Covington Ga.)
01.2014 - 04.2016
- Construction Manager on a large pharm project outside Atlanta Georgia.
- Managed safety, schedule, and budget for a 326 million dollar production building.
- Delivered project on schedule and under budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
- Turnover of project office building 8 months ahead of schedule and under budget.
- Managed 12 superintendents and coordinated efforts of 12 subcontractors and 750 craft employees.
- Addressed project challenges and design concerns to maintain progress and quality.
- Lead on HSE week, Safety of the building being paramount to all others.
Const. Manager/Superintendent
Abington Group (Portsmouth NH)
06.2008 - 12.2013
- General Superintendent on the largest tunnel remediation in the US.
- General Superintendent on the largest gas compressor stations and 2 coal plant bag house installs in NE.
- Manager of large self perform industrial construction projects in excess of 102M.
- Lead on all estimating, cost and project management.
- Developed crews and project plans, analyzing workflows to optimize efficiency and profitability.
- Led hiring and coaching initiatives, fostering employee development and team success.
- Set and reached production goals while maintaining high safety and efficiency standards.
- Extensive interface with customers, clients crews of up to 450 workers of all trades and sub-contractors.
Superintendent/Proj. Manager
Engineers Construction (Williston VT)
06.2004 - 06.2008
- Promoted from Superintendent to Project Manager due to demonstrated leadership and project management skills.
- Coordinated entire construction process, ensuring alignment of tasks and resources for successful project delivery.
- Oversaw the bidding, scheduling, costing, and completion phases for large projects.
- Cultivated a relationship with VELCO to secure exclusive self-perform contracting for multiple projects.
- Managed HR and hiring practices, enhancing team capability and project support.
MEP Coordinator/General Superintendent
Fluor (Rumford RI)
04.1998 - 06.2004
- General Superintendent on large BMS pharmaceutical plant in Dublin, Ireland in excess of 200M.
- Served as General Superintendent for US Consulate project in Sao Paulo, Brazil, coordinating cross-functional teams to meet project milestones.
- Managed project oversight, ensuring performance and safety standards for 14 superintendents and up to 200 foremen, skilled craftsmen, and subcontractors.
- Directed bidding, costing, and scheduling processes for the project, aligning resources with project goals.
- MEP coordinator on large construction project at the IBM facility in Essex, VT in excess of 38M.
Education
AWS quality and certified welding inspector school -
01-2011
Aircraft power plant mechanic -
USMC
01-1988
Aircraft avionics -
USMC
01-1987
Skills
- Organizational principles
- IPD leadership
- Estimating and budget projections and implementation
- High level of organization and scheduling
- Customer relationship building
- Team motivation
- Team-based approach
- Analytical approach to problem solving
- Extensive computer knowledge
- Revenue growth focus
- Conflict management skills
- Schedule and cost management
- Negotiation skills
- Change management experience
- Milestone execution
- Mitigation and mediation skills
- Budget forecasting
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Process improvement
- Risk management
- Operations leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Vendor evaluation
- Change management
- Team building
- Effective communication
- Results-oriented mindset
- Performance analysis
- Conflict resolution
- Business development
- Process improvements
- Partnership development
- Policies and procedures
- Strategic plans
- KPI tracking
- Human resources management
- Digital transformation
- Operational strategy development
- Financial management
- Organizational development
- Revenue generation
- Budget preparation
- Human resources
- Corporate communication
- Operations management
- Innovation management
- Corporate presentations
- Product management
- Financial reporting
- Recruiting and hiring
- Operational excellence
- Strategic goals
- Staff development
- Customer support
- Strategic leadership
- Data analytics
- Data-driven decisions
- Material processing
- Database development
- Market analysis
- Talent development
- Cross-functional team coordination
- Documentation reporting
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Performance management
- Budget oversight
- Logistics support
- Budget administration
- Cross-functional communication
- Troubleshooting and problem resolution
- Organizational improvement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Resource allocation
- Influencing and negotiating
- Reporting oversight
- Reporting management
- Operations planning
- Brand development
- Public speaking
- Contract negotiation
- Interpersonal communication
Certification
- Certified welder (Mig, Tig, Stick)
- Certified welding inspector
- Certified equipment operator
- CPR/First aid
- OSHA 70E
- Safepass
Other Relevant Experience
1991-1998, UA Local 693 Pipefitter/Welder/Foreman, Aircraft mechanic, Auto/Diesel mechanic, Pipe Welder/Pipefitter, HVAC Mechanic
Military Service
USMC, 1987-1991, Combat veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm 1990-1991
Timeline
Senior Vice President of operations
BE&K Building Group
08.2021 - Current
Project Director
JE Dunn
09.2020 - Current
Senior Construction Manager
Jacobs
11.2018 - 09.2020
Senior Project Manager
CRB (Midwest)
06.2018 - 11.2018
Senior Construction Manager
Fluor (Kinsale Ireland)
12.2016 - 06.2018
Senior Construction Manager
Fluor (Greenville SC / Clayton NC)
04.2016 - 12.2016
Construction Manager
Fluor (Covington Ga.)
01.2014 - 04.2016
Const. Manager/Superintendent
Abington Group (Portsmouth NH)
06.2008 - 12.2013
Superintendent/Proj. Manager
Engineers Construction (Williston VT)
06.2004 - 06.2008
MEP Coordinator/General Superintendent
Fluor (Rumford RI)
04.1998 - 06.2004
AWS quality and certified welding inspector school -
Aircraft power plant mechanic -
USMC
Aircraft avionics -
USMC